A bar complete with a Texans ice sculpture was in the Gridiron Tailgaters tent.

A bar complete with a Texans ice sculpture was in the Gridiron Tailgaters tent.

Photo: Patric Schneider

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Pirate & Poets at Texans' palace

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The end of summertime traditionally signals the beginning of football, but sometimes the two collide. And with good results.

Come Saturday, Aug. 16, the Texans hit the road to New Orleans for their second preseason game, but that hardly means Reliant Stadium will be empty.

On the contrary, the parking lot will be packed with tailgaters and music stages and the stadium will open up that afternoon for one of the summer’s hottest-selling concerts - Kenny Chesney’s “Poets & Pirates Tour 2008.”

“It’s an all-day festival celebrating country music, capping off summertime and getting ready for football season,” said David Brady of Lone Star Sports & Entertainment.

LSSE is a third-party marketing company closely connected to the Texans. It programs about five events a year at Reliant Stadium including the Texas Bowl and international soccer events. But “Poets & Pirates,” featuring LeAnn Rimes and Keith Urban, is the biggest music event yet.

Jamey Rootes, who is president of both the Texans NFL team and LSSE, was at Chesney’s recent concert in Philadelphia. He liked what he saw.

“I’ve become a huge fan of his through this process,” Rootes said. “This was just one of the few shows I’ve ever seen that was a true lifestyle experience. People don’t just listen to the concert, they spend all day at the stadium. It’s like a Texans’ home game, there’s tailgating all day and when the doors open and people get in there, it’s magical. He’s just this incredible entertainer, I got chills listening to ‘Summertime’ and hearing the crowd yell back ‘Yoo-Hoo!’”

Chesney’s shows fit right into the programming at Reliant. The concerts are known for fans’ tailgating, cook-outs, touch football and Frisbee playing, just like Texans’ home game.

And they’ve sold more than 1 million concert tickets every year for the last six summers, with the 2007 “Flip Flop Summer Tour” snagging the slot of second-biggest tour right behind the Police’s Reunion.

LSSE expects a sell out at Reliant, with some 45,000 fans showing up to celebrate the end of summer and the beginning of football season.

Gates open at 9:30 a.m. and both the Blue and Platinum parking lots will be available for tailgaters. Although if Texans’ games are any indication, fans will start lining up long before then.

“Sometimes they start cooking outside the gates and I’m just thinking ‘hold on, wait a minute,’” said Rootes.

Rootes doesn’t get a chance to do a lot of tailgating these days, but he sees what goes on during game days. He knows what makes a fabulous tailgating experience.

“First,” he said, “it’s about friends. It really is about the experience and if you have good friends you’ll have a good time.”

The rest comes from the food and drink, and Rootes has seen a lot of creative stuff in those areas.

“I didn’t even know what ox tails were until I saw someone cooking them before a game,” he said. “You wouldn’t believe what some folks do, they’re so creative. I’ve seen ice sculptures with shots pouring out of them.”

But, he quickly adds, “we also encourage folks to have a designated driver and be responsible.”

Tailgating for Chesney

Reliant Stadium encourages tailgating, the more creative, the better. Gates for the Blue and Platinum parking lots open at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 16 for Kenney Chesney’s “Poets & Pirates Tour 2008.” Other entertainers include Keith Urban, LeAnn Rimes, Gary Allan and Luke Bryan. Ticket prices range from $79 to $99. Tickets will be available at all Ticketmaster outlets, by phone at (713) 629-3700, online at Ticketmaster.com and at the Reliant Stadium South ticket windows Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking: Fee per vehicle is $25 for all non-reserved parking on-site. The Platinum Lot is reserved. Fee per vehicle in the Platinum Lot is $50.

What makes a great tailgate party?

Friends, as in bring ‘em with you or meet ‘em there

Food. Grilling is the activity of choice, anything from hamburgers and hotdogs to exotic meats and ox tails. Dedicated folks bring smokers for slow-cooked brisket and pork.

Drinks. Coolers of beer, chilled white wine for the discerning tastes, and even elaborate ice sculptures flowing with tequila.

Games. Frisbee is the international tailgate game but cornholing, washer and horseshoe pitching also rank high.

Music. Expect live bands on outdoor stages but don’t forget the iPod and speakers with lots of Kenney Chesney tunes. You’ll need Chesney’s hit “Summertime,” of course, but LeAnn Rimes’ “Nothin’ Better To Do” will also get you dancing in the lot.